Crutch



(No Model.)

` A FARR.

Orutoh.

No. 242,618. l Patented June 7,1881.

STATES l 'i FFICE@ CRUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,618, dated June 7, 1881.

Application iilcd March 26, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom 'it may concer/a Beit known tliatI, ALBERT FARR,ot`Athol, in the county of Vorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Crutches for Invalids'; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will venable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference bein g had to the accompanyingdrawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in crutches.

gg It consists of a crutch having a spur connected by a rod to the hand-hold, which is jou rn aled or pivoted in the bows of said crutch, said spur being capable of a movement down or up under the influence of the hand, by a movement of said hand-hold about its axis.

In my drawings, Figure lis an elevation of the crutch. Fig. 2 is a section of same. Fig. 3 is a sectional view, showing a modification ofthe packing at-the foot of the crutch.

Similar reference-letters indicate like parts in all of the gures.

Referring to drawings, Ais the crutch, having its upright split or divided a part of its length, forming bows A. Between said bows, at a convenient point, is secured a hand-hold, B, provided with tenons a a, adapted to 4it into niortises c c. The hand-hold B is secured to said bows A by screws j' f, which enter the bows and said hand-hold from opposite sides, forming the axis of motion to the spur.

A cross-piece, D, fashioned to suit the armpit of a person, unites the bows A in the usual manner.

A bifurcated lug, c, is secured to the periphery of the hand-hold B radially from its axis, and to said lug is pivoted a rod, E, which passes down through the lower part and foot ofthe crutch by way of an opening provided for it.

The foot ofthe crutch is protected by a ferrule, F, provided with an annular ilange, g, which extends inward and incloses between it the wooden end of the crutch and the rod E, a piece of rubber, leather, or other suitable packing material, 7L, elastic in its nature, which is intended to inipinge closely upon said rod or spur at all times, to prevent gravel, sand, or water, which is liable to freeze in cold weather, from entering the opening through which said rod passes to interfere with a free and easy movement of t-he spur in or out.

The ferrule F is secured to the foot of the crutch by rivets, nails, or anything in common use to answer the purpose.

The operation of the spur of my crutch is as follows: The person using the crutch, when in position, has his arm resting in the arm-bearing` or cushion and his hand grasping the handhold B. When he desires to throw out the spur he has only to revolve said hand-hold a few degrees to bring the rod E in the axial line of the crutch. lVhen in this position there will be no liability of the spur to recoil, as said hand-hold will form a solid'abutment to prevent a movement of the rod upward. A second movement of the hand-hold, either to the` right or left, will release the spur and withdraw it within the foot of the crutch.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the piece of rubber or elastic packing material h, extending outside of theferrule, serves the double purpose of packing for the spur and a cushion to form a noiseless friction-tread. The purpose of this will be appreciated when we consider that it is frequently the case thatit would be best not to use the spur-as, for instance, when passing over slippery surfaces impenetrable to pointed metal. Under such circumstances the spur might be withdrawmto allow the packing or cushion to bear directly upon such surface without impediment.

In speaking of the operation of my device I have described the spur, whe'n out of service, as being in the axial line of the crutch, and the importance of this position at times is obvious; but I do not consider this to be essential at all times when said spur is in use.

In some cases, as when passing over wooden or like surfaces, I would prefer that the point should take but a slight hold, and in such a case the movement ofthe hand-hold would be in a small arc7 to give but slight motion to rod E, it being held firmly and controlled by the operator when so moved.

I am aware that crutches have been made wherein rods with spurs have been used and operated bythe hand to withdraw said spur lOO by a lifting movement in a direct or axial line, and to such I make no claim.

I am also aware that an elastic material has been used, fixed in a socket at the end of a crutch to prevent slipping, and to such, broadly, 1 make no claim; neither do I set up any claim for a spur attached to a rod provided with screw-threads by which it may be adjusted in a correspondingly screw-threaded substance in its axial line to protrude said spur to any degree required, as this is not my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

which protrudcs from the foot of said crutch, zo

as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT FARB.

Witnesses:

SARDIUs SKINNER, JOHN C. W. T. M. SHERWIN. 

